Collapsible carrier

Abstract

A collapsible carrier, designed for attachment to a hitch or drawbar, includes: a central portion, a first carrier arm hinged to the central portion, a first end portion linked to the first carrier arm, a second carrier arm hinged to the central portion, and a second end portion attached to the second carrier arm. This carrier is capable of transitioning between two configurations: an extended configuration and a stowed configuration. In the extended configuration, the central portion, first carrier arm, and second carrier arm align along a common axis. In the stowed configuration, the central portion, the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are non-coplanar.

1 . A collapsible carrier adapted for connecting to a hitch or drawbar, the collapsible carrier comprising:
 a central portion;   a first carrier arm hingedly connected to the central portion;   a first end portion connected to the first carrier arm;   a second carrier arm hingedly connected to the central portion; and   a second end portion connected to the second carrier arm,   wherein the collapsible carrier is configurable between an extended configuration and a stowed configuration such that:
 in the extended configuration, the central portion, the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are axially aligned; and 
 in the stowed configuration, the central portion, the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are non-coplanar. 
   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are hingedly connected to the central portion at opposite ends of the central portion. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the first carrier arm is located and/or connected between the first end portion and the central portion. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the second carrier arm is located and/or connected between the second end portion and the central portion. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is hingedly connected to the first carrier arm such that the first end portion is pivotable or rotatable about or relative to the first carrier arm. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is pivotable or rotatable about or relative to the first carrier arm between 0° and 135° or between 0° and 90°. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion is fixed relative to the second carrier arm. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion extends at an angle from the second carrier arm. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein in the extended configuration and wherein the central portion, the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are axially aligned, the central portion, the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are axially aligned along respective longitudinal axes of each of the central portion, the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein in the stowed configuration and wherein longitudinal axes of the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the central portion, the longitudinal axes of the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the central portion between 0° and 90°. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the longitudinal axes of the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the central portion between 30° and 90°. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible carrier further comprises a wheel chock connected to the second carrier arm. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 12 , wherein the wheel chock includes two arms comprising a first wheel chock arm and a second wheel chock arm, wherein the two arms configured to receive a portion of a tyre of a vehicle therein. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the first wheel chock arm and the second wheel chock arm are arranged at approximately 135° relative to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 14 , wherein the wheel chock is arranged to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 15 , wherein the wheel chock is arranged to move between a first configuration and a second configuration by rotating about a central axis that extends perpendicular to a central axis of the second carrier arm, wherein:
 in the first configuration, the first wheel chock arm is parallel to the second carrier arm; and   in the second configuration, the second wheel chock arm is parallel to the second carrier arm.   
     
     
         17 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 16 , wherein in use, a tyre of a vehicle is located between and in abutment with the second end portion and the wheel chock in the second configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible carrier further comprises a ramp adapted to connect to the first end portion. 
     
     
         19 . A method for stowing a collapsible carrier, the method including:
 moving a collapsible carrier from an extended configuration for receiving a two-wheeled vehicle thereon for transport to a stowed configuration,   wherein in the extended configuration, a central portion connected between a first carrier arm and a second carrier arm are axially aligned; and   wherein in the stowed configuration, the central portion, the first carrier arm and the second carrier arm are non-coplanar.